Anti-Racism Resources from the
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library

As your library, it’s our mission to promote lifelong learning, create collaborative spaces, and support open access to diverse materials and resources enhancing the quality of life in this community. We can’t effectively do this without addressing the issues of racism and inequity. We are proud to stand alongside the City of Eau Claire and public libraries across the country in these endeavors.

Below you’ll find anti-racist book, website, and multimedia suggestions organized by topic and age, helpful community organizations, upcoming library events, and more.

Talking with Young Children About Race

Books & Websites | Kids

Complied by our Youth Services staff, parents and guardians can use this guide as a starting point for discussing topics related to race and racial justice with children.

View Resources

Everyday Picture Books by Black Creators

Books | 0-5 years

This list features exemplary books for young children created by Black authors or illustrators featuring contemporary Black characters engaged in everyday activities.

View Resources

Black Experiences for Middle Grade Readers

Books & Novels | Middle Grade

These titles are some of the best of the best for middle grade readers looking to explore diverse experiences.

View Resources

Black Lives & Racism: Teen Titles

Books & Websites | Teens

This list offers a selection of fiction and nonfiction resources for teen readers on topics of systemic racism and black lives in the United States.

View Resources

Anti-Racist Fiction

Books & Novels | Adults

The books highlighted in this list confront slavery, Jim Crow segregation, racial bias in the workplace, wrongful conviction and imprisonment, police brutality, and the anger felt by people living under racist oppression.

View Resources

Anti-Racist and Social Justice Books

Books, E-books, & Audio-books | Adults

Curated by library staff, this reading list supports critical thinking about racism in America and explores diverse perspectives.

View Resources
“The Eau Claire Community Foundation fully supports current efforts to promote social justice. We want to make sure that all Eau Claire area residents–regardless of skin color or economic background–can thrive in our community. Racism is not something for people of color alone to resolve. It’s something we all need to commit to ending.”

Our partner the Eau Claire Community Foundation

Black Music to Raise Awareness

Music | Adults

Music has the power to change minds. This selection of albums in the MORE Consortium speaks directly about racism and social injustice in modern times.

View Resources

Anti-Racism Multimedia

Podcasts, Videos, & Websites | Adults

Podcasts, videos, and other web resources to further explore racism, anti-racism, historical contexts, and intersectionality.

View Resources
“As a library, we must do more than provide you with anti-racist resources. As a library, we must pledge to be anti-racist.”
Read Our Anti-racism Pledge

Local Organizations

The views and positions expressed by these organizations do not necessarily reflect official policies or positions of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.

Uniting Bridges

Uniting Bridges combines the forces of many local organizations advocating on behalf of under-represented groups in the Chippewa Valley.
Facebook | unitingbridges@gmail.com

Chippewa Valley Civil Liberties Union

The purpose of the ACLU of Wisconsin, Chippewa Valley Chapter is to advance the ACLU’s mission of liberty and justice for all.
www.cvclu.org | Contact

Power of Perception

Power of Perception, LLC is a mentoring program led by Dennis Beale, focused on creating opportunities for minority youth.
www.powerofperceptioninc.org | Facebook

Eau Claire Justice League

A grassroots community organization based in Eau Claire, Wisconsin dedicated to raising awareness of civil and human injustices worldwide and promoting immediate action services.
Facebook | Instagram | ecjusticeleague@gmail.com

Eau Claire Business Directories
by Colab

Black-Owned Business Directory
Hmong-Owned Business Directory

Chippewa Valley Equality Initiative

Chippewa Valley Equality Initiative serves to connect resources and organizations in the Chippewa Valley that support the cause of equality for all, and to provide resources that are easy to find for the community to get involved, or to seek assistance.
www.cveiwi.com | Facebook
info@cveiwi.com

Black & Brown Womyn Power Coalition

The Black & Brown Womyn Power Coalition, Inc. is a nonprofit organization ( 501(c)3 that is focused on building strong advocates and communities with a mission to build the capacity of Black and Brown advocates and their communities to end violence against womyn, queer and trans folx, and young people.
www.bbwpcoalition.org | Facebook
admin@bbwpcoalition.org | 1-800-343-9337

Black Male Empowerment (UWEC)

BME aims to bring together men of distinction to form a brotherhood that can’t be broken, put a positive imprint on the world, and bring black empowerment to UW-Eau Claire.
Facebook

Public Statements & Helpful Links

The views expressed in these statements do not necessarily reflect official policies or positions of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.

“AAPI Community Statement and Conversations” from Eau Claire Police Department Police Chief Matt Rokus and Interim City Manager Dave Solberg | Read

“Commitment to Our Community Progress Report” from Eau Claire Police Department Police Chief Matt Rokus and Eau Claire City Manager Dale Peters | Read

“Commitment to Our Community” letter from Eau Claire City Manager Dale Peters and Eau Claire Police Department Police Chief Matt Rokus | Read

Eau Claire City Council’s response to the death of George Floyd | Read

Eau Claire City Manager Dale Peters and Eau Claire Police Department Police Chief Matt Rokus response to the death of George Floyd | Read

Statement on anti-racism from the Pablo Foundation in Eau Claire | Read

American Library Association Executive Board statement on joining Black Caucus of the American Library Association in condemning racism| Read

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction statement on “Social Injustice in Our Libraries and Communities” | Read

From our Equal Opportunity & Affirmative Action Policy: “The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library is committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work culture where all contributions are valued, respected, and appreciated. We believe that a workforce which is representative of our diverse community is aligned with the library’s success and sustainability as a public institution.” | Read the Policy Statement

Community Events

Please check back soon!

“We acknowledge the responsibility that our community has to educate ourselves in order to instigate change in combating systemic racism within our society and urge all libraries to curate book lists and provide resources to aid in facilitating this process. Let us stand together and support those who need it most.”

Wisconsin Library Association Board